Merang Jamir, President, Aries Rifle & Pistol Shooting Academy, Dimapur.: 11 May. 2013 3:10 AM IST
‘The ideal sport for Nagas’
The Naga’s perception regarding guns and shooting is hunting, self defence and war. Competitive shooting, as a sport is indeed a very recent initiative, but as we catch up with the progress made by people around us, we have re-discovered a passion for the sport to which we are quite proficient from the days of our forefathers.
Shooting sport is not just concerned with competition but it also provides enjoyment, mental exercise and also gives equal opportunity to young and old as there is no age bar in shooting, even at the highest competitive level. Rather the recent Home Ministry Notification dated 6th March 2013 allows a shooter of 12 years old to own four (4) nos. of weapons for personal, training for target shooting or for competitive purpose. Another advantage in shooting is that physically disabled athlete can also take up this sport and compete at the Paralympic Games. Karoly Takacs of Hungary (1910-1975) won two Olympic Gold Medals in the 25 metre Rapid Fire Pistol event using his left hand even after losing his right hand in a faulty grenade explosion in 1938. Shooting was introduced in the 1896 Olympic Games with only five categories, and now it has been widened to fifteen events from which 45 medals can be won. The fact that it is one of the few disciplines which provides maximum prospect to win medals shows its rising popularity around the world.
Apart from shooting being an Olympic Games event, many laurels can also be won under the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), such as, the World Cup, World Championship, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Championships Events, Asian Games, South Asian Federation Games, Afro-Asian Games as well as other International and National Games. In 1953, the Lok Sabha passed a resolution for the establishment of the National Rifle Association of India to look after the welfare of shooting sport. G.V.Mavlankar, the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha became the First Founder President. Shooting has rapidly gained popularity in India, many talented shooters have received employment opportunities in Big Companies, ONGC, Indian Airlines, Railways, Army, BSF, CISF, Para Military Forces and the Police Department as well, not only these, shooters who are proficient in this discipline can continue further education under the sports quota. The Sports Authority of India has also considered shooting sport as a special discipline.
With the establishment of the NRAI, the country has made great strides. This can be seen in the figure of the great Indian Shooters like Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang, R. Rathore, Anjali Bhagat, Dr. Karni Singh, Samresh Jung, Jaspal Rana, Vijay Kumar, Rahi Sarnobat and P.N Prakash.
Benefits of Shooting Sport:
1) It is a Fun Sport. No fancy excuses or rationalization here, the shooting sports are just plain fun. Whether shooting inside, using your BB or pellet gun, or outside plinking at cans, target shooting, or cowboy action shooting, it is great fun. So, grab a friend and go the closest shooting range and “taste and see” for yourself.
2) It is a Safe Sport. Though the instruments of this sport can be dangerous, in reality when compared to other individual or group sporting activities (football, basketball, tennis, swimming, driving, biking etc.) the shooting sports are quite safe.
And, with the growing number of gun safety/training programs, the number of injuries is declining and are at an all time low.
3) It is a Family Sport. This is a sport that almost every family member can enjoy together. It is also a sport that boys and girls, or men and women, can participate in together. Grandad and grandson, father and daughter, great family memories lasting a lifetime are made here
4) It is an Individual Sport. You can also shoot by yourself without any assistance from anyone, if that is your desire. Here, you have time to think and enjoy solitude. Time to grow in your marksmanship abilities at your own pace.
5) It is a Lifetime Sport. Shooting can begin early and continue through most of an adult’s normal life span. And, with the expansion of high-tech gadgets available today, many differently-abled individuals can excel in some of the highest levels of competition.
6) Builds Physical Discipline. In an age of the “couch potato,” this sport can help build many physical disciplines that are not only healthy but enjoyable. Increased strength, stamina, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills are just a few of the physical disciplines acquired in the shooting sports that apply, not only to this sport, but to all of life.
7) Increases Mental Discipline. To the surprise of many, the shooting sports are primarily mental sports. Experienced marksmen think sport shooting is 90% mental. Concentration levels are sharpened and expanded. Multiple problem solving activities involving logic, mathematics, and creative thinking (thinking “outside the box”) are needed and employed to succeed at any level of the shooting sports. This is truly a “thinking man’s” (and women’s) sport.
Advances Personal Responsibility. Personal responsibility is taught throughout the shooting sports to advance both safety and skill development. The shooting sports also cultivate personal responsibility because they are a foundation for both security and liberty in any family or nation.9) Preserves Life and Family. Contrary to popular opinion, guns save lives! The most scholarly research in the last 10 years has shown in the U.S. alone, firearms are used successfully 2.5 million times each year to prevent crime, or 6,849 times every day. The shooting sports teach safe and effective use of these life-saving instruments.
10) Assists in Crime Prevention. Because the shooting sports teach safe and effective use of the tools proven to prevent crime, along with character building disciplines, it provides “salt and light” influences for any society. In this way law-abiding citizens can overcome the naturally occurring “decay and darkness” of the lawless.
11) Assists in National Defense. Terrorism, whether it is domestic or foreign, always decreases when law-biding citizens have the tools, abilities and mindset (i.e. will & moral authority) to use them in order to prevent the unlawful destruction of life. The training provided in the shooting sports sharpen both abilities and mindset.
12) Training is Conducted in a Friendly and Helpful Environment. The people involved in the shooting sports are some of the most helpful, honest and “salt of the earth” kind of folks you will meet. Most are friendly people who are both able and willing to help you improve in any aspect of this sport.
13) Promotes the Values Needed for a Safe, Courageous and Self-sacrificing Society. Character development is always necessary and good. The shooting sports can help you overcome fear, grow in patience and think of others as you would have them think of you (“Golden Rule” and “Good Samaritan” character traits).
“It’s affordable, you learn to overcome pressure, to laugh at yourself and learn from your mistakes, you become a ‘good sport’, learn how to set goals and achieve them. Shooting Sport gives a shooter a scope to enrich his/her overall personality through the meditation that this shooting sport starts with. It gives a shooter the strength to cope up with challenges. As this sport includes shooters from different age and since sex is not a bar, anybody can enjoy the shooting.
Since Nagas have the love for shooting, Competitive Shooting will definitely continue to grow. So, give it a try. You never know, you can be the Next Champion. Bull’s-eye!!!